Merton

Merton's population grew between the last two censuses. Data from the census also show there were changes in housing tenure, religion and relationships.

The population reached nearly 200,000

Between the last two censuses, the population of Merton increased by 6.3%, from almost 188,000 to 200,000.

The addition of almost 12,000 people means this area's population increased at a slower rate than the total population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Merton was home to, on average, 38 people per football pitch-sized piece of land.

Population density was higher than the average across London

Population density (usual residents per football pitch-sized piece of land) across London, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

An older Merton

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of Merton remained 34 years.

This urban area had a higher average age than London and remained younger than the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The fall in age was because of an increase of about 4,700 people between the ages of 40 and 49 years, while the population over the age of 80 years decreased by just over 600.

About 15% of people in Merton are aged between 40 and 49 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, London and Merton by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

Disability in Merton

The percentage of Merton residents whose day-to-day activities are limited a lot by a long-term health problem or disability increased from 2.3% to 2.9% in the 10 years leading up to 2011.

In 2011, just under 1 in 19 (5.3%) reported being limited a little in their day-to-day activities, compared with 5.8% in 2001. The percentage of Merton residents whose day-to-day activities are not limited by a long-term health problem or disability decreased from 92% to 92%.

The proportion of people who are considerably limited by a long-term health problem or disability increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of London (from 2.7% in 2001 to 3.1% in 2011). Across England, the proportion increased from 3.1% to 3.8%.

The proportion of people who are limited a lot by a long-term health problem or disability was lower than across London

Percentage of usual residents that reported being considerably limited in their day-to-day activities across local authority areas in London and the average across England, March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of privately rented homes increased in Merton at a faster rate than across England.

In Merton, the proportion of private renting increased from 15% in 2001 to 25% in 2011. During the same period, the

Across London, the share of privately rented homes increased from 15% to 25%.

The rate of social housing in Merton remained close to 14%, while the rate of home ownership decreased from 68% to 59%.

Private renting in Merton increased by 9.4 percentage points

Percentage of households in Merton, London and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

Religion in Merton

The number of people in Merton that described themselves as Christian increased from just under 120,000 in 2001 to just over 110,000 in 2011. This represents a change from 63% to 56% of the local population.

The percentage decreased by less than the average across London (from 58% to 48%) and the average across England (from 72% to 59%).

The number of people in Merton that described themselves as having no religion increased from about 31,000 in 2001 to about 41,000 in 2011 (from 17% to 21%). The number of people who described themselves as Muslim increased from just under 11,000 to about 16,000 (from 5.8% to 8.1%).

Just over 14,000 people (7.9%) did not state their religion, down from just under 15,000 in 2001 (7.0%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the religious profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between religious groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population who identified as Christian in Merton decreased by 7.2 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, London and Merton by religion, March 2001 and March 2011

Fewer people living alone

The percentage of households in Merton, which comprised one person, decreased from 32% to 28% in the decade to 2011.

The proportion that had an unmarried couple remained close to 8.7%, while the percentage of households in Merton, which comprised a married couple (with or without children), increased from 32% to 33%.

The proportion of one-person households fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of London (from 35% in 2001 to 32% in 2011). Across England, the proportion fell from 30% to 30%.

The percentage of households with only one person was lower than across London

Percentage of households that comprised only one person across local authority areas in London and the average across England, March 2011

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Area report data

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